Distance Learning - Essay Example

Extract of sample Distance Learning

In the earlier days, distance learning was done through mails, audio and video recordings or print materials. With the improved technology, distance learning has improved significantly as well through video and web conferencing, educational television, internet radio, and live streaming. Distance learning has had its advantages. Disabled and handicapped people now have an opportunity to learn, improved capacity constraints hence a large number are able to receive education. The concept of self paced learning has improved, giving equal opportunity for all disregarding socioeconomic status. It has its limitations such as communication barrier, which poses the greatest challenge. It is costly and complex as technology and skills are required for it to succeed. Some courses may need additional support materials that are not provided. This mode of study does not give students a chance to improve their oral communication (Miller, 1989).

Mathematics is a practical subject that requires full attention of the student and the teacher present. Since it needs a lot of concentration, online tutorials maybe a superior choice since one does it at their own pace until they gain an understanding. However, as much as it sounds like a good option, the student needs to be in constant communication with teacher for feedback and explanation in areas of difficulty. Online mathematics tutorials might not be the best mode to adopt.

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Although there are many universities and colleges embracing the concept of distance learning, there are still many fallacies that surround this technology. But there are many misconceptions attached to this way of learning. Many people do not find it a very secure way to study.

This is mainly because the student cannot have a close contact with the tutor, and this has been a problem to other students who cannot work without being supervised. Distance learning has been considered to be more expensive than the normal learning lessons.

One of the complete definition highlights that it involves a spatial difference between the teacher and the student, by a technological means. This eliminates the need for the student to avail himself at a specified place and time anticipating to receive instruction from the teacher.

The concept of distance learning was still there even before the intervention of technology in the field of education, but it gained momentum, when technology was applied to make the system of distance learning more effective. As a result of this intervention, distance learning has now become one of the most prominent areas of education and learning, where the application of the technology is at its peak.

The survey estimated that more than 1.6 million students had been enrolled in distance education courses over the period of 1997-98 (Phipps, and Merisotis, 2000).
The beginning of the third millennium was marked by even more intensive growth. Institutions of higher education continued to further develop distance learning offerings targeting the populations of working adults who otherwise have limited access to higher education (Smart, and Cappel, 2006; Liaw, and Huang, 2002).

Tait (2003) starts his accounts on Open University learning with the University of London that opened in 1858 for external study, to 1946 in South Africa concerning the establishment of the University of South Africa (UNISA), the world's first exclusive distance teaching university.

Distance learning is associated with a number of benefits such as: Students have access to wide range of learning materials within seconds; one is exposed as he interact with other students in different background; reduced campus living expenses; one is not separated from his family and social lifestyle.

This “Backwash of War” according to Brigance (1945) was one of many changes. Those changes included military and public alike. They included a backwash that included displaced hate, the need to be more

as acquisition of knowledge and skills, including technology and other forms of learning through mediated instructions and information at a distance. In other words, people are not constrained by particular location or school to gain education. Distance learning provides the

2 pages (500 words)Essay

Summary

Distance learning or distance education is the education where one is not confirmed in an area such as a classroom in order to learn. It involves getting the education where one has barriers such as time and distance separating the learner and the teacher. …